[1] Hirata is a successful Japanese businessman whose plan for a two-week winter holiday in Hawaii to play golf changes when his elderly grandfather reminds him that he should go to Iceland.

Hirata's parents died there seven years ago, and the seven-year anniversary of a death is a significant event in Japanese culture.

After his first day's misadventures, Hirata decides to purchase an ancient, bright red Citroën DS to make the journey.

The following day, Hirata meets Jack and Jill, two American hitchhikers, who turn out to be armed and dangerous fugitives who proceed to steal his car.

After riding across an ice cap glacier, over a ridge and into the valley where Hirata's parents died, he dismounts and tells Siggi that he must go on alone to complete his journey.